Kissing congressman to run again unless there's an 'outcry'

Rep. Vance McAllister, R-La., was elected in a November 2013 special election. (J. Scott Applewhite, AP)

Rep. Vance McAllister, R-La., says he’s planning to run for re-election this year despite being caught on videotape kissing a female staffer.

McAllister, a married father of five children, told the News Star in Monroe, La., that he does not intend to resign and will run for a full term “unless there is an outcry for me not to serve, and so far there has been an outpouring of support, not for my actions but for me to continue to represent the people.”

A videotape of McAllister leaked to The Ouchita Citizen showed McAllister kissing a staffer identified by the two Louisiana newspapers as Melissa Peacock. Peacock was taken off the congressman’s payroll, TheNews Star reported.

“I’ve fallen short as a husband and a father, and I feel more ashamed than you can imagine,” McAllister told The News Star. “I’ve asked them for forgiveness, and I’m asking for forgiveness from my constituents who elected me to serve them.”

The filing deadline in Louisiana is in August.

McAllister was the surprise winner in November against Neil Riser, who had the support of some in the GOP establishment. McAllister’s campaign was aided by Willie Robertson, better known as Boss Hogg from reality TV’s Duck Dynasty.

Peacock and her husband, Heath, both contributed $5,200 each — the maximum allowed under the law — to McAllister for his special election in November, according to records kept by the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics.